A GOOD crowd turned up to enjoy some exciting horse-race action at a point-to-point meeting, which was held at the popular Upcott Cross track near Halwill Junction on Bank Holiday Monday writes Donna Harris.

Culmstock based trainer Stuart Sampson’s Fishy Story took the opening Penbode Vet Group-sponsored confined race under National leading jockey Will Biddick.

Beat The Tide gave the yard their second winner, having been sent off second favourite for the Dodson and Horrell men’s open race. With jockey and owner Ben Robarts riding a tactical race, stalking the odds on favorite Chosen Lucky to snatch the lead up the home straight and going onto win by eight lengths.

Ben was delighted with his win which made for a good weekend, having ridden Grissom for the Nikki Frost team to win at the Cothelstone meeting the day before. The Sampson team were delighted when their third winner at the Upcott meeting came when Balthazar du Seuil took the first division of the two-mile-four furlong open maiden race.

The restricted race was another thrilling finish — ending up in a dead heat between the Pauline Geering-trained Bricks and Beams from Lydford and Ryan Chapmans Winter Garden.

‘My late father bought Winter Garden in Ireland in 2015,’ explained the emotional trainer, ‘and it is my first winner training in my own right.’ said Ryan.

Pauline Geering was thrilled with the result for Bricks and Beams. She said: ‘I am delighted the judges called a dead heat, it seem’s fair to us all.’

Midnight Appeal took the ladies open race under owner/trainer and jockey Charlotte Hawker. The members novice race went to Seamus Mullins son James riding Adrenalin Flight. Giving the young assistant trainer his first ever winner having only ever had two rides.

If It Be Your Will won the second division of the two-mile four furlong open maiden under jockey Darren Andrews for trainer Gordon Herrod.

The final race of the day which was another open maiden race, went to the Pippa Moorhouse-trained Zip The Lip for owner and breeder Paul Tyler.